Wind Resistance

ABSTRACT

An enhanced fabric panel has a fabric surface with at least one straight edge, and a row of pockets implemented on the fabric along the one straight edge, the pockets each having an opening facing upward, such that with the one straight edge lying along a ground line with the pockets filled with a weighty material such as sand, pebbles, water or another material having weight, and other edges supported on parts of a rigid structure provides resistance to deformation or movement by impinging wind.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present patent application is a non-provisional application ofprovisional application 61/995,966, filed on Apr. 28, 2014 and entitled,“Wind Resistance”. Disclosure of prior applications is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of consumer products andaccessories and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus forblocking wind and debris from entering into a user-defined area.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

In the field of consumer products and accessories, there are numerousaftermarket products available to users for enhancing or otherwiseoptimizing designated recreational areas or work site areas set up byusers for socializing, eating, working, or other planned activities.

Lighting products, furniture products, shading devices, potable rooms,etc. may be available to users to optimize their outdoor recreation orwork experiences. In many situations where users recreate or workoutside, wind can be a serious, ongoing problem. For example, a beach orother coastal area may experience strong windy conditions that may blowsand and other debris in and around areas that are set up by the userfor recreation. Roof-top construction projects may have ongoing issueswith high winds blowing at higher elevations.

Users may attempt to block such winds by setting up social and diningareas or work areas on the downwind side of recreational trailers, workvehicles, or other structures. One issue with structures such asvehicles is that wind often tunnels through any open areas in or aboutthe structure such as wind tunneling through an open area of a partitionstructure or underneath a trailer between the bottom frame of thetrailer and the ground. Not only can the wind cause problems but it canalso blow in debris from around the area further denigrating orcompromising the utility area set up by the user(s). Moreover, portablestructures may not be heavy or sturdy enough able to block winds ofcertain velocities and conversely typical items used to set up windblocks, like portable sheets of paneling, are heavy, bulky, hard topack, and do not always solve the problem.

In another aspect wind causes other problems such as displacing fabricstructures such as tents, requiring such structures to be anchored tothe ground by elaborate lines and stakes strategically placed to resistmovement by wind impingement.

Therefore, what is clearly needed is a way to anchor and reinforcefabric structures to stabilize the structures and to block wind.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention an enhanced fabric panel is provided,comprising a fabric surface having at least one straight edge, and a rowof pockets implemented on the fabric along the one straight edge, thepockets each having an opening facing upward, wherein the one straightedge lying along a ground line with the pockets filled with a weightymaterial such as sand, pebbles, water or another material having weight,and other edges supported on parts of a rigid structure providesresistance to deformation or movement by impinging wind.

In one embodiment the panel is one side panel of a tent structure, andother side panels of the same tent structure are also enhanced withpockets filled with weighty material. Also in one embodiment the panelis a flat panel having a width and a length, the one straight edge beingone of the lengthwise edges, and the other lengthwise edge isimplemented with fasteners compatible with fasteners arrayed along arigid structure such as a camping trailer, the panel when fastened tothe rigid structure with the one straight edge having weighted packetsalong the ground line forms a wind barrier to wind traveling under therigid structure. Also in one embodiment the panel is one of a pluralityof panels of a tent structure made to be fastened to a rigid structure.In another embodiment the panel has hook-and-loop fasteners along one orboth short edges, allowing the fabric panel in use to be connected tolike panels end-to-end.

In yet another embodiment the pockets are formed by folding over an edgeof the panel onto itself and providing vertical stitching to close theouter edges of the fold and on the interior of the folded panel atlocations along the length, defining the individual pockets. Also in oneembodiment the pockets are formed separately and are attachable to theone straight edge of the panel with the pocket orientation of individualones of or of the plurality of the pockets retained by one or moreclips, fasteners, cords, wires, or rods. And in one embodiment theplurality of pockets or individual ones thereof may be disoriented fromtheir positions on the panel to spill their contents by manuallyremoving the retainer mechanism holding the individual ones of or theplurality of pockets in position.

In another aspect of the invention a method for stabilizing a fabricpanel against impinging wind is provided, comprising steps of (a)forming a row of pockets on the fabric along one straight edge, thepockets each having an opening facing upward, (b) orienting the panel toposition the one straight edge along a ground line, (c) supporting thepanel at edges other than the one straight edge by adjacent structure,and (d) filling the pockets with a weighty material such as sand,pebbles, water or another material having weight, and other edgessupported on parts of a rigid structure provides resistance todeformation or movement by impinging wind.

In one embodiment of the method the panel is one side panel of a tentstructure, other side panels of the same tent structure are alsoenhanced with pockets, further comprising filling the pockets of theother side panels with weighty material. Also in one embodiment thepanel is a flat panel having a width and a length, the one straight edgebeing one of the lengthwise edges, and the other lengthwise edge isimplemented with fasteners compatible with fasteners arrayed along arigid structure such as a camping trailer, further comprising fasteningthe panel to the rigid structure by the compatible fasteners with theone straight edge with weighted pockets lying along the ground line,blocking air movement through the area covered by the weighted, fastenedpanel.

In one embodiment of the method the panel is one of a plurality ofpanels of a tent structure made to be fastened to a rigid structure,further comprising fastening the tent structure to the rigid structurewith the weighted packets along the ground line. Also in one embodimentof the method the panel has hook-and-loop fasteners along one or bothshort edges, further comprising connecting like panels end-to-end at thehook-and-loop fasteners. Also in one embodiment the forming stepcomprises folding over an edge of the panel onto itself andaccomplishing vertical stitching to close the outer edges of the foldand to close the interior of the folded panel at locations along thelength, defining the individual pockets.

In another embodiment the forming step comprises forming the pocketsseparately and attaching the separately formed pockets to the onestraight edge of the panel by one or more retainers comprising clips,fasteners, cords, wires, or rods. And in yet another embodiment themethod further comprises manually removing the retainers holding theindividual ones of or the plurality of pockets in position allowing thepockets to spill their contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a recreational vehicle next to anactivity area in prior art.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the recreational vehicle of FIG. 1 awith wind barrier panels attached according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wind-barrier panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a wind-barrier panel according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wind-barrier panel of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a process flow chart depicting steps for securing one or morepanels to a structure.

FIG. 6 is a process flow chart depicting steps for removing one or morepanels from a structure.

FIG. 7 is a process flow chart depicting steps for removing one or morepanels from a structure according to another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portable or fixed construction withwind barrier panels attached thereto.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tent in the shape of a truncatedpyramid in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tent structure made to integrate witha rigid structure in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments described in enabling detail below the inventorprovides a unique portable wind barrier for blocking wind and debriscarried by the wind blowing through or underneath a portable or fixedstructure. The present invention is described using the followingexamples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a portable structure 100 adjacent toan activity area 101 in an example of the prior art Structure 100 inthis example is a camping trailer and will be referred to hereinafter inthis specification as trailer 100. Trailer 100 is an example of aportable structure that may have architecture open enough for wind toblow through or under. Trailer 100 is, in this example, parked withreference to wind direction to horizontally block the wind (illustratedby directional arrows).

In this example, it is desired to protect area 101 set up for dining andsocialization. Area 101 in this example includes a picnic table 108 withplace settings and an active barbeque fire 107. Area 101 is on thedownwind side of the trailer relative to the oncoming winds. Trailer 100is set up on an axle with wheels and has a prominent wheel well, makingthe architecture more open for wind tunneling, for example, wind passingthrough the wheel well and wind passing underneath the vehicle betweenthe vehicle frame and ground.

FIG. 1 b depicts the trailer and activity area of FIG. 1, with windbarrier panels fastened to trailer 100. Trailer 100 is adapted to acceptmounting of at least one wind barrier panel 102, but in this example twopanels 102 and 103. Wind barrier panels 102 and 103 may be fastened orotherwise removably attached onto the downwind or upwind side of trailer100. Attachment here is on the downwind side to better show details ofattachment and use, but the wind barrier panels are considered by theinventor to function better fastened on the upwind side. In someembodiments panels may be used on both sides, or all around the trailer.Panels 102 and 103 may be fastened to the side of trailer 100 using snapfasteners (not visible in this view) or other sorts of fasteners thatmay be manipulated to mount and release the panels. Wind barrier panels102 and 103 may be fabricated from a heavy fabric such as canvas oranother fabric heavy enough to withstand typical wind force. In oneembodiment, panel 102 is fabricated from a flexible polymer/fabric blendor polymer-based material. In another embodiment the material used tofabricate wind barrier panel 102 is reinforced, such as by stitchinglayers of material over other layers of material in the construction. Inone embodiment, the fabric materials used to form the panel haveinsulative qualities against cold and or fire resistant qualities.

Wind barrier panels 102 and 103 are rectangular in this example and havea length and a height. The length of wind barrier panels 102 and 103 mayvary according to need. In this example wind barrier panel 103 isfastened to trailer 100 immediately adjacent panel 102, and is connectedto panel 102 at the interfacing vertical edges of the panels. Windbarrier panels 102 and 103 may be identical in description, such thatthey are of the same construction and materials, the same size, and aretherefore interchangeable in installation whether installed singly or asa wind skirting comprising multiple panels.

Wind barrier panel 103 may, in one embodiment, differ in size of bothheight and length dimensions from panel 102 without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, custom panellengths and heights might be provided for structures depending onspecific physical features of the structure's architecture that servesas the mounting location for the panels. In one embodiment, panels 102and 103 have vertical edges with hook and loop fastener strips 106overlaid and stitched or sewn thereto. For example, a front verticaledge my support loop material while the back vertical edge supports thehook material. In this way, multiple wind barrier panels such as panels102 and 103 may be fastened to the side of RV 100 with the verticaledges connected together via hook and loop (commonly Velcro™).

A plurality of pockets 104 are formed or otherwise attached along thebottom horizontal edges of wind barrier panels 102 and 103. Each pocket104 is adapted with an opening 105 facing toward the top edge of eachpanel. The pockets accept weighted material such as sand, pebbles,rocks, water or other materials or a combination of weighty materials.In this example, panels 102 and 103 are fastened onto the side of RV 100at a height sufficient for presenting the pockets at or substantiallynear ground level. The weight inside the filled pockets helps tostabilize the barriers from the tunneling wind preventing them fromflapping up during gusts, etc. Panels 102 and 103 may be rolled upconveniently and stowed when not being used after emptying the pockets,taking up little space.

There may be more or fewer pockets provided on panels 102 and 103 thanare illustrated in this example without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. More detail about weighing the barriersdown using the pockets is provided below.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a wind barrier panel 102 or 103 of FIG. 1. Windbarrier panel (102, 103) may be fastened to the side of a recreationvehicle such as trailer 100 (partially illustrated in this view). In oneembodiment the connector mechanisms are snap connectors or fastenersincluding a snap seat 203 attached to RV 100 and a snap button 200pressed through or otherwise incorporated into wind barrier panels 102and 103. Snap seats 203 are strategically mounted at substantially equalspacing in a horizontal row across the RV. Snap buttons are arranged inthe same pattern as the snap seats in a row across the top edge of thepanels.

In one embodiment, other methods for fastening panels (102, 103) to theside of RV 100 may be provided such as a connector seat strip boltedacross the structure, the molded strip adapted to accept a similarlymolded connector strip by pressing them together. In one embodimentconnector mechanisms for attaching the panels to a structure may bemagnetic, such as a magnetic strip adapted to accept magnetic buttons onthe panels.

In this example pocket 104 is formed (may be sewn) into the bottom ofthe wind barrier and may bulge slightly at both the rear and front sidesof the panel when filled with weighted materials. Openings 105 ofpockets 104 present on the front side of wind barrier panel (102, 103)facing the top edge of the panel. This is not required to practice thepresent invention as the openings might present on the reverse side oron both sided of the panel (pockets on both sides). Pocket 104 is closedat the ends of panel (102, 103) by vertical stitching 202. Verticalstitching 202 is likewise provided along the length of the panel atsubstantially equal lengths to define the individual pockets or“pouches”. In some embodiments there may be openings between pockets somaterial may transfer from pocket to pocket. For example, in some usesthe weighted material of choice for filling the pockets may be water,and these openings will allow water to equalize in height between thepockets.

Heavy materials 201 such as water, sand, pebbles or another material maycause the pockets to bulge out somewhat at both sides of the panel. Thesize of pocket 104, for example depth and girth, may vary withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Pocketheight may be uniform across the panel. In some applications 12″ by 12″or one square foot pocket space may be used. For other applicationslarger or smaller pockets might be provided depending on need. A usermay gauge the wind speed including occasional gusts of wind and weightone or more of the plurality of pockets by placing the material havingweight into the desired pocket(s).

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a wind barrier panel 300 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention. Wind barrier panel 300includes snap buttons 301 arranged in a row for fastening to a like rowof snap seats pre-installed on a structure such as trailer 100 describedpreviously in this specification. Snap buttons 301 are analogous to snapbutton 200 of FIG. 2. The materials used to fabricate panel 300, moreparticularly material 302, may be identical to those materials describedpreviously with reference to fabricating panel (102, 103) of FIG. 1.However, panel 300 differs from the previously described panels in theway pockets 305 are constructed and how they might be collectivelyemptied of weighted material after use.

In this embodiment, the pockets are formed on the backside of windbarrier panel 300 as illustrated with a broken-boundary depiction ofpocket orientation 308 before assembly and after evacuation of thepockets. Pockets 305 may be stitched, sewn onto, or attached to thebackside of panel 300. Pockets 305 are stitched or sewn onto the panelin this embodiment via horizontal stitching 310 and via verticalstitching 311. It is noted herein that pockets 305 may be fabricated ofthe same material as panel 300 or of a different material withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a plurality of annular sleeves 307 are stitched, sewn, orotherwise attached to the front side of panel 300 in linear fashion, thesleeves equally spaced apart.

Sleeves 307 have an inside diameter great enough to accept a fasteningrod 309 inserted through the sleeves. Sleeves 307 may be formed from thesame fabric as the wind barrier panel. In one embodiment, sleeves 307may be molded plastic parts attached to the panel material by fastenerinstead of by stitching or sewing. Fastening rod 309 may be a plastic,metal or wooden dowel without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. In one embodiment rope, cord, wire or another implement maybe used to secure the pocket in proper orientation and elevation on thepanel.

In this example, the original height dimension of wind barrier panel 300may be greater than the height dimension of the wind-barrier panelspreviously described, that is, at least by the height dimension of thepocket. The fold or crease in this embodiment occurs at the firsthorizontal stitch line marking the bottom edge of each pocket when thepanel is folded. Therefore, the appropriate length for the panel in thisexample to block wind is the “folded” height of the panel. Wind barrierpanel 300 includes a linear arrangement of openings 312 placed therethrough and equally spaced apart.

Openings 312 are visible in broken boundary and are adapted in size tofit over annular sleeves 307 when panel 300 is folded over onto itselfwith the edge adjacent to pocket openings 306 pressed over the likelinear arrangement of annular sleeves 307. Rod 309 may be insertedthrough or removed from the annular sleeves in the direction of theassociated directional arrows. Pockets 305 are held in properorientation by inserting rod 309 into and through the linear arrangementof sleeves 307. A user may weight the pockets while pocket openings 306are held upright with rod 309 inserted through sleeves 307.

After use it may be desired to remove panel 300 from a structure andempty the weighted contents from pockets 305. A user may remove rod 309to allow panel 300 to unfold under the weight of the full pockets. Thepanel may then be unsnapped from the structure and lifted up at leastthe height of the folded panel plus the height of the pocket tocollectively finish evacuation of all of the pockets simultaneously. Inone embodiment wind barrier panel includes two material sections (panelsection 302, pocket section 308) hinged together at approximately thesame location as the first horizontal stitch line from top to bottomwith the panel unfolded. In other embodiment, other fastening schemesand supporting apparatus such as clips, cording, or hook and loop stripof industrial strength might be utilized to hold pockets 305 in properorientation for weighting in place of a rod and sleeve without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of wind barrier panel 300 of FIG. 3. In this viewsnap button 301 is in alignment with a snap seat 304 installed on theside of a structure, in this case, trailer 100 described previously.Pocket 305 rests on or substantially near ground level (ground depictedby horizontal line). Weighted material 312 inside pocket 305 may causeit to bulge slightly out on the front side of the panel. In thisexample, material section 308 containing the pocket arrangement isfolded over onto the front of panel 300 to bring the pockets into properorientation with pocket openings 306 facing the top horizontal edge ofthe panel. Sleeves 307 are pressed through openings in the pocketsection adapted for the purpose. Rod 309 may then be inserted throughthe sleeves to retain the fold and pocket arrangement in properorientation for weighting the pockets. Removing rod 309 from sleeves 307allows the pocket arrangement to fall (unfold) under its own weightspilling the contents of the pockets simultaneously. Unsnapping andlifting wind barrier panel 300 functions to finish evacuating thepockets as the pocket openings face down when the material is notfolded.

FIG. 5 is a process flow chart 500 depicting steps for securing one ormore panels to a structure. At step 501, a user may roll out one or morewind barrier panels for use. At step 502, the user may snap a first windbarrier panels onto the side of the structure, in this case, an RVanalogous to RV 100 of FIG. 1. The linear arrangement of snap seats ispre-installed on the structure and is compatible to the lineararrangement of snap buttons provided on the panel. The user may decidein step 503 whether or not to add another panel. If the user decides toadd another panel at step 503, then the user may snap the next panelinto place at step 504.

At step 505, the user may connect the interfacing vertical edges of theadjacent panels together using the hook and loop fastener strips. Step504 may loop back to step 503 for x number of panels added to thestructure (RV). If the user determines not to add a panel at step 503,the process skips to step 506 where the user fills one or more of thepockets with material having weight. In the case of adding one or morepanels, after the edges of the panels are secured to one another, theprocess moves to step 506 where the pockets are filled.

Whether a user might use only one panel or several panels in aninstallation depends entirely on the design and size of the structuresupporting the panels. In one embodiment a rectangular structure set upoff of the ground may have snap seats installed completely around theoutside of the structure for accepting a complete wrap of wind barrierpanels. In other implementations there may be occasions where only onepanel is required.

FIG. 6 is a process flow chart 600 depicting steps for removing one ormore panels from a structure. At step 601 it is determined whether thereis more than one panel connected to the structure. If there is more thanone panel in step 601, the user may disconnect the panel edged bypulling apart the hook and loop connector strips at step 602. If thereis only one panel on the structure, the process skips to step 603 wherethe user unsnaps the panel from the structure. In the case of more thanone panel, the user unsnaps one panel at a time in step 603.

After a panel is unsnapped from the structure at step 603, the pocketsmay be emptied of contents at step 604. Lying the panel down and turningit upside down to shake the contents out of the pockets may accomplishthis. At step 605 the one or more panels may be rolled up tied andstowed for next use. In one embodiment of the invention a panel may behung from a structure instead of using snap fasteners without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hooks connected tothe panel and hook-securing apparatus connected to the structure mayaccomplish this.

FIG. 7 is a process flow chart 700 depicting steps for removing one ormore panels from a structure according to another embodiment of theinvention. It is assumed in this embodiment that the panels used in thisprocess conform to the folded design described previously with referenceto panel 300 of FIG. 3.

At step 701 it is determined whether there is one or more than one panelfor removal. If there is more than one panel connected to the structureas determined in step 701, the user may disconnect the panel edges bypulling apart the hook and loop fastener strips at step 702. If there isonly one panel connected to the structure at step 701, the process mayskip to step 703 where the user may remover a pocket fastener orfasteners allowing the pockets to fall down unfolding from the panel andat least partially spilling out the materials placed in the pockets.

In an embodiment where more than one panel is connected to thestructure, one fastener such as a rod analogous to rod 309 of FIG. 3might be used to span both panels locking them into the folded position.Step 703 might be performed before step 703 in a case where there ismore than one connected panel. At step 704 the user may unsnap the panelor panels from the structure. The pockets may be fully evacuated if notalready by lifting the panels up at least the height of the foldedpocket section to turn the pockets completely upside down. The processthen moves to step 705 where the user may roll up and stow the one ormore panels for next use.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a structure 804 with wind barrier panelsattached thereto. In this example structure 804 is a portable or a fixedconstruction, in this case a section of fencing or railing. Structure804 is orientated substantially orthogonally relative to the directionof the wind (illustrated by directional arrows). In many case, fixedstructures are so orientated in some areas such as coastal areas wherewind direction is largely predictable such as long periods of steadyon-shore winds or off-shore winds.

As was described previously with reference to area 101 of FIG. 1, theuser has set up a dining and socialization area 806 on the downwind sideof the structure. Structure 804 includes a horizontal rail 805 that isfixed to the structure and might serve as a mounting location for windbarrier panels 802 and 803. Rail 805 has a row of snap seats installedacross the span of the rail. Panels 802 and 803 have matching rows ofsnap buttons 801 incorporated thereon for snapping the panels to therail. In this example, it is assumed that the structure was adapted forthe panels using the correct connectors and the correct spacing andheight for the panels to be used.

In one embodiment there may be mounting strips or plates that containthe row of snap seats already installed there across. Such a strip orplate may be provided as a mounting interface and may be fastened to thestructure using nails, screws, or other connector mechanisms at thecorrect height and orientation to accept panels 802 and 803 at thecorrect height enabling the pockets to rest on or otherwise reside nearground level. In one embodiment such a strip or plate might be installedacross the distance between two trees in relatively close proximity tobe enabled to block wind otherwise blowing between them.

In another embodiment of the invention pockets may be provided in tentstructures, particularly along bottom edges of side panels of tents, toweight the tent against effects of wind. In some instances suchstructures may eliminate need for conventional staking of a tent. FIG. 9is a perspective view of a tent in the shape of a truncated pyramid.This shape is merely an example of many shapes that tent structures maytake. In exemplary tent 901 of FIG. 9 there are four sides, two of whichare shown. Conventional pole structures may be used (not shown) insideto form and support the shape of the tent. Pockets 904 with openings 905are shown implemented along the bottom edges of the two sides shown.Side 902, however, has a break in the line of pockets to provide anopening 903 to provide access into and out of the tent structure.

Pockets 904 may be formed in any of the ways described above for pocketsalong edges of wind barrier panels, with openings 905 facing upward thatmay be used to fill the pockets with weighty material, such as sand,pebbles, water, etc., as described above. In many circumstances thepockets filled provide sufficient support against wind that stakes areno longer required. The skilled artisan will recognize that such a tentmay be dismantled and the side panels may be lifted in a way that thematerial in the pockets may be emptied. In the case of use with water,there may be openings in the pockets that may be closed to hold water,and opened to drain the water at need.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tent structure made to integrate witha rigid structure, in this case a trailer like trailer 100 of FIG. 1. InFIG. 10 a tent structure 1001 is implemented to assemble to trailer 100,and the fastening may be any method known in the art. Two sides of tentstructure 1001 are shown in perspective, these being sides 1002 and1003. Both of these sides, and the third side not seen in this figure,have each a row of pockets 1005 with openings 1006 facing upwards, suchthat the pockets may be filled with weighty material just as describedfor the sides of tent 901 of FIG. 9. The effect of the weight along theground line along the sides of the tent structure is to stabilize thestructure and resist movement potentially caused by impinging wind.

Wind barrier panels and tent structures may be provided in differing andcustom lengths and heights for different applications without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Wind barrier panelsand tent structures may be applied to a flat bed trailer, an RV trailer,a racing truck, work vehicles such as water tenders or the like to blockwind that can tunnel under such vehicles and through open structure ofthe vehicles. Wind barrier panels may also be applied to portable andfixed constructions like houses, mobile homes, fencing, railing,partially open walls, etc. Basically, pockets as taught in the examplesdescribed herein may be applied to any fabric that may be used in astructure that needs to have resistance to impinging wind.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the wind barriersystems of the invention may be provided using some or all of thementioned features and components without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilledperson that the arrangement of elements and functionality for theinvention is described in different embodiments in which each isexemplary of an implementation of the invention. These exemplarydescriptions do not preclude other implementations and use cases notdescribed in detail. The invention is limited only by the breadth of theclaims below.

1. An enhanced fabric panel, comprising: a fabric surface having atleast one straight edge; and a row of pockets implemented on the fabricalong the one straight edge, the pockets each having an opening facingupward; wherein the one straight edge lying along a ground line with thepockets filled with a weighty material such as sand, pebbles, water oranother material having weight, and other edges supported on parts of arigid structure provides resistance to deformation or movement byimpinging wind.
 2. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 1 wherein thepanel is one side panel of a tent structure, and other side panels ofthe same tent structure are also enhanced with pockets filled withweighty material.
 3. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 1 wherein thepanel is a flat panel having a width and a length, the one straight edgebeing one of the lengthwise edges, and the other lengthwise edge isimplemented with fasteners compatible with fasteners arrayed along arigid structure such as a camping trailer, the panel when fastened tothe rigid structure with the one straight edge having weighted packetsalong the ground line forms a wind barrier to wind traveling under therigid structure.
 4. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 1 wherein thepanel is one of a plurality of panels of a tent structure made to befastened to a rigid structure.
 5. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 3wherein the panel has hook-and-loop fasteners along one or both shortedges, allowing the fabric panel in use to be connected to like panelsend-to-end.
 6. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 1 wherein the pocketsare formed by folding over an edge of the panel onto itself andproviding vertical stitching to close the outer edges of the fold and onthe interior of the folded panel at locations along the length, definingthe individual pockets.
 7. The enhanced fabric panel of claim 1, whereinthe pockets are formed separately and are attachable to the one straightedge of the panel with the pocket orientation of individual ones of orof the plurality of the pockets retained by one or more clips,fasteners, cords, wires, or rods.
 8. The enhanced fabric panel of claim7, wherein the plurality of pockets or individual ones thereof may bedisoriented from their positions on the panel to spill their contents bymanually removing the retainer mechanism holding the individual ones ofor the plurality of pockets in position.
 9. A method for stabilizing afabric panel against impinging wind, comprising steps of: (a) forming arow of pockets on the fabric along one straight edge, the pockets eachhaving an opening facing upward; (b) orienting the panel to position theone straight edge along a ground line; (c) supporting the panel at edgesother than the one straight edge by adjacent structure; and (d) fillingthe pockets with a weighty material such as sand, pebbles, water oranother material having weight, and other edges supported on parts of arigid structure provides resistance to deformation or movement byimpinging wind.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the panel is one sidepanel of a tent structure, other side panels of the same tent structureare also enhanced with pockets, further comprising filling the pocketsof the other side panels with weighty material.
 11. The method of claim9 wherein the panel is a flat panel having a width and a length, the onestraight edge being one of the lengthwise edges, and the otherlengthwise edge is implemented with fasteners compatible with fastenersarrayed along a rigid structure such as a camping trailer, furthercomprising fastening the panel to the rigid structure by the compatiblefasteners with the one straight edge with weighted pockets lying alongthe ground line, blocking air movement through the area covered by theweighted, fastened panel.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the panel isone of a plurality of panels of a tent structure made to be fastened toa rigid structure, further comprising fastening the tent structure tothe rigid structure with the weighted packets along the ground line. 13.The method of claim 11 wherein the panel has hook-and-loop fastenersalong one or both short edges, further comprising connecting like panelsend-to-end at the hook-and-loop fasteners.
 14. The method of claim 9wherein the forming step comprises folding over an edge of the panelonto itself and accomplishing vertical stitching to close the outeredges of the fold and to close the interior of the folded panel atlocations along the length, defining the individual pockets.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the forming step comprises forming thepockets separately and attaching the separately formed pockets to theone straight edge of the panel by one or more retainers comprisingclips, fasteners, cords, wires, or rods.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising manually removing the retainers holding theindividual ones of or the plurality of pockets in position allowing thepockets to spill their contents.